We have a 2000 Impala LS (3800 engine)..... this morning it was dead (after having replaced the battery this last summer)..... I jumped the vehicle and it started immediately, but the fuel gauge, the tach and the PRNDL were not not working at all (but the odometer was on). After restarting it about 3 times it began to work. One evening about 2 weeks ago while driving it all the lights and indicators on the dash came on for about 5 seconds, then went off. It has performed properly the rest of the day........ about a year ago we sent the instrument panel off to be fixed as the PRNDL and odometer were not visible. Since then there as been no problems..... any ideas.

Possible bad I/P, or connection to it.....

Need to scan for codes.......however most parts stores don't have scanners capable of reading U and B codes...

I don't think its a problem with the IP..... we just had it completely rebuilt last spring. I'm leaning more to it being a problem with the PassLock Security system.

PassLock will not kill your battery, and besides, if it WAS PassLock, it wouldn't start with a jump......

One other possibility, is either a draw, or the alternator is not charging the system enough....

Like I said, you need a special scanner to read B and U codes...

As for the I/P it was repaired a year ago....does not mean it hasn't gone bad....